Methods and apparatuses for encoding and decoding video using temporal motion vector prediction

ABSTRACT

A method of encoding a video into a coded video bitstream with temporal motion vector prediction comprises: determining a value of a flag for indicating whether temporal motion vector prediction is used or not used for the inter-picture prediction of a sub-picture unit of a picture; and writing the flag having the value into a header of the sub-picture unit or a header of the picture; wherein if the flag indicates that temporal motion vector prediction is used, the method further comprises: creating a first list of motion vector predictors comprising a plurality of motion vector predictors including at least one temporal motion vector predictor derived from at least one motion vector from a collocated reference picture; selecting a motion vector predictor out of the first list; and writing a first parameter into the coded video bitstream for indicating the selected motion vector predictor out of the first list.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a method of encoding a video and amethod of decoding a video using temporal motion vector prediction, andapparatuses thereof. The present invention can be applied in anymultimedia data coding and, more particularly, in coding of image andvideo contents utilizing temporal motion vector prediction forinter-picture prediction.

BACKGROUND ART

Video coding schemes, such as H.264/MPEG-4 AVC and the upcoming HEVC(High-Efficiency Video Coding) perform encoding/decoding of image/videocontent using inter-picture (or simply “inter”) prediction frompreviously encoded/decoded reference pictures to exploit informationredundancy across consecutive pictures in time.

In a coded video bitstream, a reference picture used for the interprediction process of a prediction unit (such as an M×N block ofsamples) is identified by or referred to using a reference index. Areference index is an index into an ordered list (known as a referencepicture list) comprising one or more reference pictures. Each referenceindex is uniquely associated with a reference picture in the referencepicture list. That is, the reference index is a value that is used todistinguish multiple reference pictures from each other.

The above-mentioned coding schemes support temporal prediction of motionvectors (i.e., motion vector prediction or MVP), whereby motion vectorsof a target block of samples are predicted from the motion vectors ofone or more previously coded blocks of samples in a collocated referencepicture. Temporal motion vector prediction further reduces the bitrateassociated with motion vectors by exploiting information redundancyamong neighbouring motion vectors temporally. The collocated referencepicture is selected among available reference pictures using apredetermined scheme, for example, selecting the first reference picturein a predetermined reference picture list (such as reference picturelist 0) as the collocated reference picture.

In applications requiring video transmission across lossy environment,temporal motion vector prediction is susceptible to erroneous predictionof motion vector when the collocated reference picture is lost orcontains errors. In the HEVC standard under development, a technique wasdisclosed for disabling temporal motion vector prediction of certainsub-picture unit (e.g., a slice). JCTVC-G398, “High-level Syntax:Marking process for non-TMVP pictures”, Joint Collaborative Team onVideo Coding (JCT-VC) of ITU-T SG 16 WP3 and ISO/IEC JTC1/SC29/WG11 7thmeeting, Geneva, CH, November 2011. In this technique, it is necessaryto introduce a marking flag in a Picture Parameter Set (PPS) used formarking a picture in the Decoder Picture Buffer (DPB) as “unused fortemporal motion vector prediction”. This marking process is performed bya decoder when a sub-picture unit refers to a PPS having a marking flagequal to “TRUE”.

CITATION LIST Non Patent Literature

-   NPL 1: ISO/IEC 14496-10, “MPEG-4 Part 10 Advanced Video Coding”-   NPL 2: JCTVC-G398, “High-level Syntax: Marking process for non-TMVP    pictures”, Joint Collaborative Team on Video Coding (JCT-VC) of    ITU-T SG 16 WP3 and ISO/IEC JTC1/SC29/WG11 7th meeting, Geneva, CH,    November 2011

SUMMARY OF INVENTION Technical Problem

As mentioned in the background, in a disclosed technique for disablingtemporal motion vector prediction of certain slices, it is necessary tointroduce a marking flag in a Picture Parameter Set (PPS) used formarking a picture in the Decoder Picture Buffer (DPB) as “unused fortemporal motion vector prediction”. A major problem associated with thistechnique is that when a slice which invokes the marking process is lostor contains error, the decoder cannot perform the intended markingprocess. As a result, subsequent synchronization between, encoder anddecoder is lost. Therefore, the above-mentioned technique for disablingtemporal motion vector prediction is not robust.

Solution to Problem

The present invention seeks to provide methods and apparatuses forencoding and decoding video using temporal motion vector prediction withimproved error robustness. In particular, the temporal motion vectorprediction for a sub-picture unit (e.g., a slice) is enabled/disabled ina manner which is less susceptible to errors. For example, according toembodiments of the present invention, the above-mentioned markingprocess (i.e., for marking reference pictures as “unused for temporalmotion vector prediction”) to be performed by the decoder is eliminated.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provideda method of encoding a video into a coded video bitstream with temporalmotion vector prediction, the method comprising:

determining a value of a flag for indicating whether temporal motionvector prediction is used or not used for the inter-picture predictionof a sub-picture unit of a picture;

writing the flag having said value into a header of the sub-picture unitor a header of the picture; andwherein if the flag indicates that temporal motion vector prediction isused, the method further comprises:creating a first list of motion vector predictors comprising a pluralityof motion vector predictors including at least one temporal motionvector predictor derived from at least one motion vector from acollocated reference picture;selecting a motion vector predictor out of the first list for aprediction unit in the sub-picture unit; andwriting a first parameter into the coded video bitstream for indicatingthe selected motion vector predictor out of the first list.

Preferably, if the flag indicates that temporal motion vector predictionis not used, the method further comprises:

creating a second list of motion vector predictors comprising aplurality of motion vector predictors without any temporal motion vectorpredictors;

selecting a motion vector predictor out of the second list for aprediction unit in the sub-picture unit; and

writing a second parameter into the coded video bitstream for indicatingthe selected motion vector predictor out of the second list.

In an embodiment, the value of the flag is determined based on atemporal layer of the picture.

Preferably, if the temporal layer of the picture is determined to be thelowest or base layer, the value of the flag is set to indicate thattemporal motion vector prediction is not used; otherwise, the value ofthe flag is set to indicate that temporal motion vector prediction isused.

In another embodiment, the value of the flag is determined based on aPicture Order Count (POC) value of the picture.

Preferably, if the POC value of the picture is determined greater thanany POC values of reference pictures in a Decoder Picture Buffer (DPB),the value of the flag is set to indicate that temporal motion vectorprediction is not used; otherwise, the value of the flag is set toindicate that temporal motion vector prediction is used.

In still another embodiment, the value of the flag is determined basedon a sub-picture unit type of an inter-picture sub-picture unit in thepicture.

Preferably, if the sub-picture unit type is a Predictive (P) type, thevalue of the flag is set to indicate that temporal motion vectorprediction is not used; otherwise, the value of the flag is set toindicate that temporal motion vector prediction is used.

In yet another embodiment, the value of the flag is determined based onwhether the picture containing the sub-picture unit is a Random AccessPoint (RAP) picture.

Preferably, if the picture is the RAP picture and the sub-picture unitbelongs to a non-base layer of the picture, the value of the flag is setto indicate that temporal motion vector prediction is not used;otherwise, the value of the flag is set to indicate that temporal motionvector prediction is used.

Preferably, the flag is written to the header of the sub-picture unit.

Preferably, the method further comprises writing one or more parametersinto the header of the sub-picture unit to specify the order ofreference pictures in one or more reference picture lists used for interprediction of the sub-picture unit.

Preferably, the method further comprises:

performing a motion compensated inter-picture prediction using theselected motion vector predictor to produce the prediction unit;

subtracting the prediction unit from a block of original samples toproduce a block of residual samples; and

encoding the block of residual samples corresponding to the predictionunit into the coded video bitstream.

In an embodiment, the second list comprises one less motion vectorpredictor than the first list, and the motion vector predictors of thefirst and second lists are the same other than the temporal motionvector predictor.

Preferably, the first and second parameters are represented in the codedvideo bitstream using different predetermined bit representations.

In another embodiment, the first and second lists comprise the samepredetermined number of motion vector predictors, and the second listcomprises a motion vector predictor which is not present in the firstlist and is derived without using motion vectors from any referencepictures.

Preferably, the flag is used to indicate whether temporal motion vectorprediction is used or not used for the inter-picture prediction of asub-picture unit independently of other sub-picture units in thepicture.

Preferably, the sub-picture unit is a slice of the picture.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provideda method of decoding a coded video bitstream with temporal motion vectorprediction, the method comprising:

parsing a flag from a header a sub-picture unit or a header of a pictureof the coded video; and

determining whether the flag indicates that temporal motion vectorprediction is used or not used;

wherein if the flag indicates that temporal motion vector prediction isused, the method further comprises:

creating a first list of motion vector predictors comprising a pluralityof motion vector predictors including at least one temporal motionvector predictor derived from at least one motion vector from acollocated reference picture;parsing a first parameter from the coded video bitstream which indicatesa selected motion vector predictor out of the first list for aprediction unit in the sub-picture unit.

Preferably, if the flag indicates that temporal motion vector predictionis not used, the method further comprises:

creating a second list of motion vector predictors comprising aplurality of motion vector predictors without any temporal motion vectorpredictors; and

parsing a second parameter from the coded video bitstream whichindicates a selected motion vector predictor out of the second list fora prediction unit in the sub-picture unit.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is providedan apparatus for encoding a video into a coded video bitstream withtemporal motion vector prediction, the apparatus comprising:

a control unit operable to determine a value of a flag for indicatingwhether temporal motion vector prediction is used or not used for theinter-picture prediction of a sub-picture unit of a picture;

a writing unit operable to write the flag having said value into aheader of the sub-picture unit or a header of the picture;

a motion vector prediction unit; and

an inter-picture prediction unit for performing inter-picture predictionbased on a selected motion vector predictor from the motion vectorprediction unit,

wherein the motion vector prediction unit is configured to receive theflag and based on the flag being a first value, the motion vectorprediction unit is operable to create a first list of motion vectorpredictors comprising a plurality of motion vector predictors includingat least one temporal motion vector predictor derived from at least onemotion vector from a collocated reference picture, and select a motionvector predictor out of the first list for a prediction unit in thesub-picture unit; and

the writing unit is further operable to write a first parameter into thecoded video bitstream for indicating the selected motion vectorpredictor out of the first list.

Preferably, when the flag is of a second value, the motion vectorprediction unit is operable to create a second list of motion vectorpredictors comprising a plurality of motion vector predictors withoutany temporal motion vector predictors, and select a motion vectorpredictor out of the first list for a prediction unit in the sub-pictureunit; and

the writing unit is further operable to write a second parameter intothe coded video bitstream for indicating the selected motion vectorpredictor out of the second list.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is providedan apparatus for decoding a coded video bitstream with temporal motionvector prediction, the apparatus comprising:

a parsing unit operable to parse a flag from a header a sub-picture unitor a header of a picture of the coded video, and to determine whetherthe flag indicates that temporal motion vector prediction is used or notused;

a motion vector prediction unit; and

an inter-picture prediction unit for performing inter-picture predictionbased on a selected motion vector predictor from the motion vectorprediction unit;

wherein the motion vector prediction unit is configured to receive theflag and based on the flag being a first value, the motion vectorprediction unit is operable to create a first list of motion vectorpredictors comprising a plurality of motion vector predictors includingat least one temporal motion vector predictor derived from at least onemotion vector from a collocated reference picture; and

the parsing unit is further operable to parse a first parameter from thecoded video bitstream which indicates a selected motion vector predictorout of the first list for a prediction unit in the sub-picture unit.

Preferably, when the flag is of a second value, the motion vectorprediction unit is operable to create a second list of motion vectorpredictors comprising a plurality of motion vector predictors withoutany temporal motion vector predictors; and

the parsing unit is further operable to parse a second parameter fromthe coded video bitstream which indicates a selected motion vectorpredictor out of the second list for a prediction unit in thesub-picture unit.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

Embodiments of the present invention provide methods and apparatuses forencoding and decoding video using temporal motion vector prediction withimproved error robustness of inter-picture prediction. For example, theembodiments can also result in improved flexibility and codingefficiency of inter-picture prediction as temporal motion vectorprediction can be enabled and disabled independently for a plurality ofsub-picture units within the same picture.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts an exploded diagram representation of an exemplary codedvideo bitstream according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 depicts a flowchart illustrating a method of encoding a videoaccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 depicts a schematic block diagram of an exemplary apparatus forencoding an input video/image bitstream;

FIG. 4 depicts a flowchart illustrating a method of decoding an encodedvideo according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 depicts a schematic block diagram of an exemplary apparatus fordecoding an input coded bitstream;

FIG. 6 depicts a diagram showing the different temporal layers for anexemplary group of pictures;

FIG. 7 depicts a flowchart illustrating a method of determining thevalue of the temporal motion vector prediction usage flag according to afirst embodiment;

FIG. 8 depicts a flowchart illustrating a method of determining thevalue of the temporal motion vector prediction usage flag according to asecond embodiment;

FIG. 9 depicts a flowchart illustrating a method of determining thevalue of the temporal motion vector prediction usage flag according to athird embodiment;

FIG. 10 depicts a diagram representation of a NAL unit stream, i.e., aseries of NAL units for a coded video bitstream;

FIG. 11 depicts a diagram representation of an exemplary RAP picturecontaining multiple views/layers with multiple slices;

FIG. 12 depicts a flowchart illustrating a method of determining thevalue of the temporal motion vector prediction usage flag according to afourth embodiment;

FIG. 13 shows an overall configuration of a content providing system forimplementing content distribution services;

FIG. 14 shows an overall configuration of a digital broadcasting system;

FIG. 15 shows a block diagram illustrating an example of a configurationof a television;

FIG. 16 shows a block diagram illustrating an example of a configurationof an information reproducing/recording unit that reads and writesinformation from and on a recording medium that is an optical disk;

FIG. 17 shows an example of a configuration of a recording medium thatis an optical disk;

FIG. 18A shows an example of a cellular phone;

FIG. 18B is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration of acellular phone;

FIG. 19 illustrates a structure of multiplexed data;

FIG. 20 schematically shows how each stream is multiplexed inmultiplexed data;

FIG. 21 shows how a video stream is stored in a stream of PES packets inmore detail;

FIG. 22 shows a structure of TS packets and source packets in themultiplexed data;

FIG. 23 shows a data structure of a PMT;

FIG. 24 shows an internal structure of multiplexed data information;

FIG. 25 shows an internal structure of stream attribute information;

FIG. 26 shows steps for identifying video data;

FIG. 27 shows an example of a configuration of an integrated circuit forimplementing the moving picture coding method and the moving picturedecoding method according to each of embodiments;

FIG. 28 shows a configuration for switching between driving frequencies;

FIG. 29 shows steps for identifying video data and switching betweendriving frequencies;

FIG. 30 shows an example of a look-up table in which video datastandards are associated with driving frequencies;

FIG. 31A is a diagram showing an example of a configuration for sharinga module of a signal processing unit;

FIG. 31B is a diagram showing another example of a configuration forsharing a module of the signal processing unit.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

According to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, there areprovided a method of encoding video and a method of decoding video usingtemporal motion vector prediction (TMVP), and apparatuses thereof. Inparticular, the temporal motion vector prediction for a sub-picture unit(e.g., slice) is enabled/disabled in a manner which is less susceptibleto errors. To achieve this, according to a preferred embodiment of thepresent invention, a flag is introduced into a header of a picture ormore preferably a header of a sub-picture unit for indicating whethertemporal motion vector prediction is used or not used for theinter-picture (or simply “inter”) prediction of the sub-picture unit.This flag can also be referred to as a temporal motion vector predictionusage flag. In further aspects of the present invention, preferredtechniques for determining/deciding the value of the flag are disclosedin various embodiments.

For clarity and simplicity, exemplary embodiments of the presentinvention will now be described in further details whereby thesub-picture unit is a slice of a picture. It will be appreciated by aperson skilled in the art that slice partitioning is merely one possiblemethod for dividing a picture into multiple sub-picture partitions.Therefore, embodiments of the present invention described hereinafterare not limited to the sub-picture unit being a slice. For example,other sub-picture partitioning methods such as tiles, entropy slices andwavefront partitioning units are all within the scope of the presentinvention.

FIG. 1 is an exploded diagram representation of an exemplary coded videobitstream 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Thecoded video bitstream 100 comprises a header 110 and a plurality ofpictures 112 associated with the header 110. The picture 112 istypically partitioned into a plurality of sub-picture units (e.g.,slices) 114. Each slice 114 comprises a slice header 116 and a slicedata 118 associated with the slice header 116. The slice data 118comprises a plurality of prediction units 120 of inter prediction type.

In the exemplary embodiment as illustrated in FIG. 1, the flag 122 forindicating whether temporal motion vector prediction is used or not usedfor the inter prediction of the slice 114 is preferably located in theslice header 116. As a result, temporal motion vector prediction foreach slice 114 can be enabled and disabled independently of other slices114 in the same picture 112. The slice header 116 further comprisesreference picture list ordering parameters 124 for specifying the orderof reference pictures in one or more reference picture lists. Theseparameters 124 determine the effective or final order of the referencepictures in the reference picture lists used for inter prediction of theslice 114 associated with or corresponding to the slice header 116.These parameters 124 may specify a reordering process to be performed onone or more initial reference picture lists, or may specify that theinitial reference picture lists are used without reordering. As shown inFIG. 1, the flag 122 is preferably located in the same slice header 116as the reference picture list ordering parameters 124. A motion vectorpredictor selection parameter 126 is located at each prediction unit 120for selecting a motion vector predictor out of the plurality of motionvector predictors available for inter prediction of the prediction unit120.

In another embodiment, the reference picture list ordering parameters124 and the temporal motion vector predictor usage flag 122 are locatedin a header (not shown) shared among a plurality of slices 114 withinthe same picture 112. For example, the picture level header 110 may bethe Adaptation Parameter Set (APS) or the common slice segment header inthe HEVC coding scheme.

As explained hereinbefore, slice partitioning is merely one possiblemethod for dividing a picture into multiple sub-picture partitions.Other possible sub-picture partitioning methods may be used, for exampletiles, entropy slices and wavefront partitioning units. In such othersub-picture partitioning methods, the parameters 124 and flag 122located in the slice header 116 as described hereinbefore may instead belocated in a header of a sub-picture unit.

FIG. 2 depicts a flowchart illustrating a method 200 of encoding a videoaccording to an embodiment of the present invention. In Step S202, oneor more parameters (i.e., reference picture list ordering parameters)124 is written into a header 116 of a slice 114 for specifying the orderof reference pictures in one or more reference picture lists used forinter prediction of the slice 124. A predetermined location (such as thefirst picture) in one of the reference picture lists (such as referencepicture list 0) indicates the collocated reference picture. In StepS204, the value of a flag 122 which indicates whether temporal motionvector is used or not used for inter prediction of the slice 124 isdetermined. A number of techniques for determining the value of the flag122 will be described later according to various embodiments of thepresent invention. Subsequently in Step 206, the flag 122 is writteninto the header 116 of the slice 114. In Step S208, the value of theflag 122 is analysed or judged to determine whether the flag 122indicates that temporal motion vector prediction is used or not used.For example, a flag 122 having a value “0” may indicate that temporalmotion vector prediction is not used and a flag 122 having a value “1”may indicate that temporal motion vector prediction is used, or viceversa.

If the flag 122 indicates that temporal motion vector prediction isused, in Step S210, a list of motion vector predictors (e.g., a firstlist) is created comprising a plurality of motion vector predictorsincluding at least one temporal motion vector predictor derived from atleast one motion vector from the collocated reference picture. By way ofexample only, the plurality of motion vectors may include at least onetemporal motion vector predictor, one or more motion vectors derivedfrom spatial neighbouring prediction units/blocks (i.e., spatial motionvector predictors) and a zero motion vector. In Step S212, a motionvector predictor is selected out of the list of motion vector predictorsfor a target block of samples (i.e., prediction unit) 120 in the slice124. In Step 214, a parameter (i.e., a motion vector predictor selectionparameter) (e.g., a first parameter) 126 is written into the coded videobitstream 100 (i.e., into the prediction unit 120 of the slice 114) forindicating the selected motion vector predictor out of the list ofmotion vector predictors.

On the other hand, if the flag 122 indicates that temporal motion vectorprediction is not used, in Step S216, a list of motion vector predictors(e.g., a second list) is created comprising a plurality of motion vectorpredictors without any temporal motion vector predictors. In Step S218,a motion vector predictor is selected out of the list of motion vectorpredictors for a target block of samples (i.e., prediction unit) in theslice 124. In Step S220, a parameter (i.e., a motion vector predictorselection parameter) (e.g., a second parameter) is written into thecoded video bitstream 100 (i.e., into each prediction unit 120 of theslice data 118 associated with the slice header 116) for indicating theselected motion vector predictor out of the list of motion vectorpredictors.

After Step S214 or Step S220, a motion compensated inter prediction isperformed for the slice 214 using the selected motion vector predictorto produce a block of prediction samples. Subsequently, in Step S226,the block of prediction samples is subtracted from a block of originalsamples to produce a block of residual samples. Thereafter, in StepS226, the block of residual samples corresponding to the target block isencoded into the coded video bitstream 100.

Accordingly, in the above-described embodiment of the present invention,the flag 122 for indicating whether temporal motion vector prediction isused or not used is able to control one slice 114 independently of otherslices 114 in the same picture 112. Therefore, the flag 122corresponding to a first slice 114 does not determine whether temporalmotion vector prediction is used or not used in a second or other slicein the same picture 112. Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment,the marking process on reference pictures in the Decoder Picture Buffer(DPB) as described in the background has been eliminated. This resultsin improved flexibility and coding efficiency of the inter prediction.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the first and second lists ofmotion vector predictors comprise different number of motion vectorpredictors. Preferably, the second list comprises one less motion vectorpredictor than the first list. In both the first and second lists,motion vector predictors other than the temporal motion vector predictormay be the same or equivalent. This can increase coding efficiency asthe encoder has more choices to select the best candidate from a listwhich includes temporal motion vector predictor (i.e., the first list).The second list can provide better error resilience because temporalmotion vector prediction is not used. In the coded video bitstream 100,the first and second parameters representing the selected motion vectorpredictor may use different bit representation, for example, usingtruncated unary representations having different maximum values in thearithmetic coding binarization or in the variable length code.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the first and secondlist comprise the same predetermined number of motion vector predictors.Instead of the temporal motion vector predictor, the second listcomprises another unique predetermined motion vector predictor which isnot present in the first list. This can increase coding efficiency asthe encoder has more choices to select the best candidate from a listwhich includes a unique predetermined motion vector predictor (i.e., thesecond list). Since the maximum number of candidate temporal motionvector predictors is the same for both the first and second lists, thisreduces the complexity in the parsing process of the index parameterused for indicating the selected motion vector predictor. The uniquemotion vector predictor is derived without temporal dependency, i.e.,without using motion vectors from any reference pictures. By way ofexample only, the unique motion vector predictor may be a spatial motionvector predictor from a predetermined neighbouring location. As anotherexample, the unique motion vector predictor may be a zero motion vectorpredictor.

An exemplary apparatus 300 for encoding a video according to anembodiment of the present invention will now be described below.

FIG. 3 depicts a schematic block diagram of the exemplary apparatus 300for encoding an input video/image bitstream 302 on a block-by-blockbasis so as to generate an encoded video bitstream 304. The apparatus300 comprises a transformation unit 306 operable to transform an inputdata into frequency coefficients, a quantization unit 308 operable toperform quantization on an input data, an inverse quantization unit 310operable to perform an inverse quantization on an input data, an inversetransformation unit 312 operable to perform inverse frequency transformon an input data, a block memory 314 and a picture memory 316 operableto store data such as videos and images, an intra prediction unit 318operable to perform intra prediction, an inter prediction unit 320operable to perform inter prediction, an entropy coding unit 322operable to encode an input data into a coded video bitstream 304, acontrol unit 324 operable to decide whether temporal motion vectorprediction is used or not used for the inter prediction of a targetslice, a motion vector prediction unit 330, and a writing unit 328operable to write data into the coded video bitstream 304.

For clarity, an exemplary data flow through the apparatus 300 as shownin FIG. 3 will now be described. An input video 302 is inputted to anadder, and the added value 305 is outputted to the transformation unit306. The transformation unit 306 transforms the added values 305 intofrequency coefficients, and outputs the resulting frequency coefficients307 to the quantization unit 308. The quantization unit 308 quantizesthe inputted frequency coefficients 307, and outputs the resultingquantized values 309 to the inverse quantization unit 310 and theentropy coding unit 322. The entropy coding unit 322 encodes thequantized values 309 output from the quantization unit 308, and outputsa coded video bitstream 304.

The inverse quantization unit 310 inversely quantizes the quantizedvalues 309 output from the quantization unit 308, and outputs thefrequency coefficients 311 to the inverse transformation unit 312. Theinverse transformation unit 312 performs inverse frequency transform onthe frequency coefficients 311 so as to transform the frequencycoefficients into sample values of the bitstream, and outputs theresulting sample values 313 to an adder. The adder adds the samplevalues 313 of the bitstream output from the inverse transformation unit314 to the predicted video/image values 319 output from the intra orinter prediction unit 318 or 320, and outputs the resulting added values315 to the block memory 105 or the picture memory 106 for furtherprediction. The intra or inter prediction unit 318 or 320 searcheswithin reconstructed videos/images stored in the block memory 314 or thepicture memory 316, and estimates a video/image area which is e.g. mostsimilar to the input videos/images for prediction.

The control unit 324 makes a decision on whether temporal motion vectorprediction is used or not used for the inter prediction of a targetslice and outputs a signal 325 indicating the decision to the motionvector prediction unit 330 and to the writing unit 322. A number oftechniques for deciding/determining whether temporal motion vectorprediction is used or not used (i.e., determining the value of the flag122) will be described later according to various embodiments of thepresent invention. Based on this decision, the inter prediction unit 320performs inter prediction with or without using temporal motion vectorpredictor. In particular, the motion vector prediction unit 330 isconfigured to receive the flag 122 and if the flag of of a first value(e.g., “1”), the motion vector prediction unit 330 is operable to createthe first list of motion vector predictors comprising a plurality ofmotion vector predictors including at least one temporal motion vectorpredictor derived from at least one motion vector from a collocatedreference picture, and select a motion vector predictor out of the firstlist for a prediction unit in the sub-picture unit. The writing unit 328is further operable to write the first parameter into the coded videobitstream for indicating the selected motion vector predictor 331 out ofthe first list. On the other hand, if the flag 122 is of a second value(e.g., “0”), the motion vector prediction unit 330 is operable to createthe second list of motion vector predictors comprising a plurality ofmotion vector predictors without any temporal motion vector predictors,and select a motion vector predictor out of the second list for aprediction unit in the sub-picture unit. In this case, the writing unit328 is further operable to write the second parameter into the codedvideo bitstream 304 for indicating the selected motion vector predictor331 out of the second list. The writing unit 328 is also operable towrite the data 326 representative of the flag 122 having either a firstor second value (e.g., “0” or “1”) indicating whether temporal motionvector prediction is used or not used into the coded video bitstream 304(e.g., a header of the sub-picture unit or a header of the picture).

FIG. 4 depicts a flowchart illustrating a method 400 of decoding anencoded video according to an embodiment of the present invention. Inparticular, the method 400 is operable to decode a coded video bitstream100 encoded according to the above-described method of encoding a videoas shown in FIG. 2. In Step S402, one or more parameters (i.e.,reference picture list ordering parameters) are parsed from a header 116of a slice 114 to specify the order of reference pictures in one or morereference picture lists used for the inter prediction of the slice 114.As mentioned hereinbefore, a predetermined location (such as the firstpicture) in one of the reference picture lists (such as referencepicture list 0) indicates the collocated reference picture. In StepS404, a flag (i.e., temporal motion vector prediction flag) 122 isparsed from the header 116 which indicates whether temporal motionvector prediction is used or not used for inter prediction of the slice118. In Step S406, the value of the flag 122 is analysed or judged todetermine whether the flag 122 indicates that temporal motion vectorprediction is used or not used.

If the flag 122 indicates that temporal motion vector prediction isused, in Step S408, a list of motion vector predictors (e.g., a firstlist) is created comprising a plurality of motion vector predictorsincluding at least one temporal motion vector predictor derived from atleast one motion vector from the collocated reference picture. By way ofexample only, the plurality of motion vectors may include at least onetemporal motion vector predictor, one or more motion vectors derivedfrom spatial neighbouring prediction units/blocks (i.e., spatial motionvector predictors) and a zero motion vector. In Step S410, a parameter(i.e., a motion vector predictor selection parameter) (e.g., a firstparameter) 126 is parsed from the coded video bitstream 100 (i.e., froma prediction unit 120 of the slice 114) which indicates a selectedmotion vector predictor out of the list of motion vector predictors fora target block of samples (i.e., a prediction unit 120) in the slice114.

On the other hand, if the flag 122 indicates that temporal motion vectorprediction is not used, in Step S412, a list of motion vector predictors(e.g., a second list) is created comprising a plurality of motion vectorpredictors without any temporal motion vector predictors. In Step S414,a parameter (i.e., a motion vector predictor selection parameter) (e.g.,a second parameter) is parsed from the coded video bitstream 100 (i.e.,from a prediction unit 120 of the slice 114) which indicates a selectedmotion vector predictor out of the list of motion vector predictors fora target block of samples (i.e., a prediction unit 120) in the slice114.

After Step S410 or Step S414, a motion compensated inter prediction isperformed using the selected motion vector predictor to produce a blockof prediction samples in Step S416. Subsequently, in Step S418, a blockof residual samples is decoded from the coded video bitstream 100.Thereafter, in Step S420, the block of prediction samples and the blockof residual samples is added together to produce a block ofreconstructed samples corresponding to the target block.

An exemplary apparatus 500 for decoding an encoded video according to anembodiment of the present invention will now be described below.

FIG. 5 depicts a schematic block diagram of the exemplary apparatus 500for decoding an input coded bitstream 502 on a block-by-block basis andoutputting videos/images 504 e.g., to a display. The apparatus 500comprises an entropy decoding unit 506 operable to decode an inputencoded bitstream 502, an inverse quantization unit 508 operable toperform an inverse quantization on an input data, an inversetransformation unit 510 operable to perform inverse frequencytransformation on an input data, a block memory 512 and a picture memory514 operable to store data such as videos and images, an intraprediction unit 516 for performing intra prediction, an inter predictionunit 518 for performing inter prediction, a motion vector predictionunit 522, and a parsing unit 503 operable to parse the input codedbitstream 502 and output various parameters 520, 521.

For clarity, an exemplary data flow through the apparatus 500 as shownin FIG. 5 will now be described. An input encoded bitstream 502 isinputted to the entropy decoding unit 506. After the encoded bitstream502 is inputted to the entropy decoding unit 506, the entropy decodingunit 506 decodes the input encoded bitstream 502, and outputs thedecoded values 507 to the inverse quantization unit 508. The inversequantization unit 508 inversely quantizes the decoded values 507, andoutputs the frequency coefficients 509 to the inverse transformationunit 510. The inverse transformation unit 510 performs inverse frequencytransform on the frequency coefficients 509 to transform the frequencycoefficients 509 into sample values 511, and outputs the resultingsample values 511 to an adder. The adder adds the resulting samplevalues 511 to the predicted video/image values 519 output from the intraor inter prediction unit 516 or 518, and outputs the resulting values504 to, e.g., a display, and to the block memory 512 or the picturememory 514 for further prediction. In addition, the intra or interprediction unit 516 or 518 searches within videos/images stored in theblock memory 512 or picture memory 514, and estimates a video/image areawhich is e.g. most similar to the decoded videos/images for prediction.

Furthermore, the parsing unit 506 parses a flag 122 from a header of theslice or the picture indicating whether temporal motion vectorprediction is used or not used for inter prediction of a target slice,and outputs the parsed data 520 to the motion vector prediction unit522. The inter prediction unit 518 is operable to perform interprediction with or without using temporal motion vector predictor basedon the value of the flag 122 and the selected motion vector predictorfrom the motion vector prediction unit 522. In particular, the motionvector prediction unit 522 is configured to receive the data 520containing the flag 122 and if the flag is of a first value (e.g., “1”),the motion vector prediction unit 522 is operable to create the firstlist of motion vector predictors comprising a plurality of motion vectorpredictors including at least one temporal motion vector predictorderived from at least one motion vector from a collocated referencepicture. If the flag is of a second value (e.g., “0”), the motion vectorunit 522 is operable to create a second list of motion vector predictorscomprising a plurality of motion vector predictors without any temporalmotion vector predictors. The parsing unit 503 is further operable toparse the first or second parameter from the coded video bitstream 502which indicates a selected motion vector predictor out of the secondlist for a prediction unit in the sub-picture unit, and output theparsed data 521 to the motion vector prediction unit 522.

As mentioned hereinbefore, a number of techniques fordeciding/determining whether temporal motion vector prediction is usedor not used (i.e., determining the value of the flag 122) will now bedescribed according to various embodiments of the present invention.

According to a first embodiment, the value of the flag 122 is determinedbased on a temporal layer of the current picture. FIG. 6 depicts adiagram showing the different temporal layers for a group of pictureswhen the group size/structure is configured to 4 for example. In theexample, there are three temporal layers, namely, temporal layer “0”602, temporal layer “1” 604 and temporal layer “2” 606. Pictures withPicture Order Count (POC) values of 0, 4 and 8 are located in temporallayer “0” 602, pictures with POC values of 2 and 6 are located intemporal layer “1” 604, and pictures with POC values of 1, 3, 5 and 7are located in temporal layer “2” 606. Temporal layers “0”, “1” and “2”are respectively associated with or represented by temporal ID 0, 1 and2. Accordingly, pictures in temporal layer “0” 602 have associatedtherewith temporal ID “0”, pictures in temporal layer “1” 604 haveassociated therewith temporal ID 1, and pictures in temporal layer “2”606 have associated therewith temporal ID 2.

FIG. 7 depicts a flowchart illustrating a method 700 of determining thevalue of the flag 122 according to the first embodiment. In Step S702,the temporal layer of the current picture is determined based on thetemporal ID associated with the current picture. Subsequently, in StepS704, the determined temporal layer is analysed or judged whether it isthe lowest layer or base layer (i.e., whether temporal ID=0). If thetemporal layer is the lowest layer, in Step S706, the flag 122 is set toa value (e.g., “0”) indicating that temporal motion vector prediction isnot used. On the other hand, if the temporal layer is not the lowestlayer, in Step S708, the flag 122 is set to a value (e.g., “1”)indicating that temporal motion vector prediction is used. This isbecause in a typical coding structure, pictures with temporal ID=0 areoften referenced by higher temporal ID pictures. In a case when thepicture with temporal ID=0 is lost or contains error, the error willpropagate to any pictures which reference to that picture with temporalID=0. This error propagation may continue and effect the reconstructionof all subsequence pictures which use temporal motion vector picturewith temporal ID=0. Therefore, this embodiment improves the errorresilience by not using temporal motion vector picture with temporalID=0.

According to a second embodiment, the value of the flag 122 isdetermined based on the POC value of the current picture. FIG. 8 depictsa flowchart illustrating a method 800 of determining the value of theflag 122 according to the second embodiment. In Step S802, a POC valuefor the current picture and POC values of all reference pictures in theDPB are obtained or determined. In Step S804, the POC value of thecurrent picture is analysed or judged whether it is greater than any ofthe POC values of the reference picture in the DPB. If so, in Step S806,the flag 122 is set to a value (e.g., “0”) indicating that temporalmotion vector prediction is not used. Otherwise, in Step S808, the flag122 is set to a value (e.g., “1”) indicating that temporal motion vectorprediction is used. This is because a higher quality picture (e.g.,temporal layer 0 pictures) only reference to either the same or higherquality pictures. In this embodiment, a higher quality picture isidentified in view of POC values of reference pictures contain in thedecoded picture buffer which stores a plurality of reference pictures.For a reason similar to the above-described first embodiment, higherquality pictures are often referenced by subsequent pictures.Accordingly, to prevent or minimise the error propagation and to improveerror resilience, the flag 122 is disabled for higher quality pictures.

According to a third embodiment, the value of the flag 122 is determinedbased on the slice type of an inter slice in the current picture. Aninter slice is a slice that is encoded or decoded using interprediction. FIG. 9 depicts a flowchart illustrating a method 900 ofdetermining the value of the flag 122 according to the third embodiment.In Step 902, a slice type of an inter slice in the current picture isdetermined. Subsequently, the slice type is analysed or judged whetherit is a P slice (i.e., a predictive slice). If so, in Step S906, theflag 122 is set to a value (e.g., “0”) indicating that temporal motionvector prediction is not used. On the other hand, if the determinedslice type if not a P slice (e.g., it is a bi-predictive or B slice), inStep S908, the flag 122 is set to a value (e.g., “1”) indicating thattemporal motion vector prediction is used. A reason for this is becauseP-slice uses uni-direction forward prediction. Therefore, to prevent orminimise error propagation and to improve error resilience, the flag 122is disabled for P slice.

According to a fourth embodiment, the value of the flag 122 isdetermined based on whether the picture is a Random Access Point (RAP)picture. A RAP picture is a picture which itself and all subsequentpictures in decoding order can be correctly decoded without having toperform the decoding process of any pictures that precede the RAPpicture in decoding order. For example, HEVC specification specifies aRAP picture as a coded picture for which each slice segment has NAL unittype (i.e., nal_unit_type) in the range of 7 to 12, inclusively. FIG. 10depicts a diagram representation of a NAL unit stream, i.e., a series ofNAL units 102 for a coded video bitstream. As known to a person skilledin the art, the NAL (Network Abstraction Layer) formats the Video CodingLayer (VCL) representation of a coded video and provides headerinformation in a manner appropriate for conveyance by a variety oftransport layers or storage media. Each NAL unit 102 comprises a header104 followed by a data section 106. The header 104 includes a parameterindicating the type of data in the NAL unit 102 and the data section 106contains the data indicated by the header 104. For example, FIG. 10shows three NAL units, a first NAL unit containing a parameter set (asindicated by the NAL unit type 108), a second NAL unit containing a baseview/layer (as indicated by the NAL unit type 110), and a third NAL unitcontaining a non-base view/layer (as indicated by the NAL unit type112). The header 104 of each NAL unit further comprises a temporal ID asdescribed in the first embodiment shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 11 depicts a diagram representation of an exemplary RAP picture1100 containing multiple views/layers with multiple slices. As shown,the RAP picture 1100 comprise multiple slices 1102 in the base layer(intra view) 1104 and multiple slices 1106 in the non-base layer (interview) 1110.

FIG. 12 depicts a flowchart illustrating a method 1200 of determiningthe value of the flag 122 according to the fourth embodiment. In StepS1202, the picture is analysed to determine or obtain a parameter ofeach slice of the picture which specifies the slices' NAL unit type.Subsequently, in Step S1204, it is determined or judged whether thepicture containing the current slice is a RAP picture based on theparameter(s) obtained and whether the current slice belongs to anon-base layer/view of the picture. Whether the picture is a RAP picture1100 can be determined by analysing the value of the NAL unit type 1008,1010, 1012 in the header 1004 of each NAL unit or slice 1002 in thepicture. As mentioned above, a RAP picture 1100 is a picture whichitself and all subsequent pictures in decoding order can be correctlydecoded without performing the decoding process of any pictures theprecede the RAP picture 1100 in decoding order. For example, HEVCspecification specifies a RAP picture as a coded picture for which eachslice segment has NAL unit type in the range of 7 to 12, inclusively.Accordingly, in this example, if the NAL unit type 1008, 1010, 1012 ofeach NAL unit 1002 in the picture is in the range of 7 to 12,inclusively, then the picture is determined to be a RAP picture 1100.Whether the current slice is a non-base layer of the picture can bedetermined by examining the NAL unit type 1008, 1010, 1012 of thecurrent slice. For example, the NAL unit type 1012 indicates that theassociated slice 1006 belongs to a non-base layer and the NAL unit type1010 indicates that the associated slice 1006 belongs to a base layer.However, it will be appreciated to a person skilled in the art that thenon-base layer can be identified based on other parameter(s) dependingon the video coding scheme. For example, in the current HEVC multi-viewHEVC working draft, whether the current slice is a non-base layer of thepicture is determined by the layer ID. If the picture is a RAP picture1100 and the current slice belongs to a non-base layer of the picture,in Step S1206, the flag 122 is set to a value (e.g., “0”) indicatingthat temporal motion vector prediction is not used. Otherwise, in StepS1208, the flag 122 is set to a value (e.g., “1”) indicating thattemporal motion vector prediction is used. A reason for this is becausethe benefit of using temporal motion vector prediction is to improve themotion vector prediction temporally, that is, prediction from otherpictures which are different in time. However, if the intra and interpictures lie within the same time in the current picture, there is nobenefit of using temporal motion vector prediction. Therefore, toimprove coding/decoding efficiency, the flag 122 is disabled for slices1106 belonging to non-base (or inter view) layer of a RAP picture 1100.

Embodiment A

The processing described in each of embodiments can be simplyimplemented in an independent computer system, by recording, in arecording medium, a program for implementing the configurations of themoving picture coding method (image coding method) and the movingpicture decoding method (image decoding method) described in each ofembodiments. The recording media may be any recording media as long asthe program can be recorded, such as a magnetic disk, an optical disk, amagnetic optical disk, an IC card, and a semiconductor memory.

Hereinafter, the applications to the moving picture coding method (imagecoding method) and the moving picture decoding method (image decodingmethod) described in each of embodiments and systems using thereof willbe described. The system has a feature of having an image coding anddecoding apparatus that includes an image coding apparatus using theimage coding method and an image decoding apparatus using the imagedecoding method. Other configurations in the system can be changed asappropriate depending on the cases.

FIG. 13 illustrates an overall configuration of a content providingsystem ex100 for implementing content distribution services. The areafor providing communication services is divided into cells of desiredsize, and base stations ex106, ex107, ex108, ex109, and ex110 which arefixed wireless stations are placed in each of the cells.

The content providing system ex100 is connected to devices, such as acomputer ex111, a personal digital assistant (PDA) ex112, a cameraex113, a cellular phone ex114 and a game machine ex115, via the Internetex101, an Internet service provider ex102, a telephone network ex104, aswell as the base stations ex106 to ex110, respectively.

However, the configuration of the content providing system ex100 is notlimited to the configuration shown in FIG. 13, and a combination inwhich any of the elements are connected is acceptable. In addition, eachdevice may be directly connected to the telephone network ex104, ratherthan via the base stations ex106 to ex110 which are the fixed wirelessstations. Furthermore, the devices may be interconnected to each othervia a short distance wireless communication and others.

The camera ex113, such as a digital video camera, is capable ofcapturing video. A camera ex116, such as a digital camera, is capable ofcapturing both still images and video. Furthermore, the cellular phoneex114 may be the one that meets any of the standards such as GlobalSystem for Mobile Communications (GSM) (registered trademark), CodeDivision Multiple Access (CDMA), Wideband-Code Division Multiple Access(W-CDMA), Long Term Evolution (LTE), and High Speed Packet Access(HSPA). Alternatively, the cellular phone ex114 may be a PersonalHandyphone System (PHS).

In the content providing system ex100, a streaming server ex103 isconnected to the camera ex113 and others via the telephone network ex104and the base station ex109, which enables distribution of images of alive show and others. In such a distribution, a content (for example,video of a music live show) captured by the user using the camera ex113is coded as described above in each of embodiments (i.e., the camerafunctions as the image coding apparatus according to an aspect of thepresent invention), and the coded content is transmitted to thestreaming server ex103. On the other hand, the streaming server ex103carries out stream distribution of the transmitted content data to theclients upon their requests. The clients include the computer ex111, thePDA ex112, the camera ex113, the cellular phone ex114, and the gamemachine ex115 that are capable of decoding the above-mentioned codeddata. Each of the devices that have received the distributed datadecodes and reproduces the coded data (i.e., functions as the imagedecoding apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention).

The captured data may be coded by the camera ex113 or the streamingserver ex103 that transmits the data, or the coding processes may beshared between the camera ex113 and the streaming server ex103.Similarly, the distributed data may be decoded by the clients or thestreaming server ex103, or the decoding processes may be shared betweenthe clients and the streaming server ex103. Furthermore, the data of thestill images and video captured by not only the camera ex113 but alsothe camera ex116 may be transmitted to the streaming server ex103through the computer ex111. The coding processes may be performed by thecamera ex116, the computer ex111, or the streaming server ex103, orshared among them.

Furthermore, the coding and decoding processes may be performed by anLSI ex500 generally included in each of the computer ex111 and thedevices. The LSI ex500 may be configured of a single chip or a pluralityof chips. Software for coding and decoding video may be integrated intosome type of a recording medium (such as a CD-ROM, a flexible disk, anda hard disk) that is readable by the computer ex111 and others, and thecoding and decoding processes may be performed using the software.Furthermore, when the cellular phone ex114 is equipped with a camera,the video data obtained by the camera may be transmitted. The video datais data coded by the LSI ex500 included in the cellular phone ex114.

Furthermore, the streaming server ex103 may be composed of servers andcomputers, and may decentralize data and process the decentralized data,record, or distribute data.

As described above, the clients may receive and reproduce the coded datain the content providing system ex100. In other words, the clients canreceive and decode information transmitted by the user, and reproducethe decoded data in real time in the content providing system ex100, sothat the user who does not have any particular right and equipment canimplement personal broadcasting.

Aside from the example of the content providing system ex100, at leastone of the moving picture coding apparatus (image coding apparatus) andthe moving picture decoding apparatus (image decoding apparatus)described in each of embodiments may be implemented in a digitalbroadcasting system ex200 illustrated in FIG. 14. More specifically, abroadcast station ex201 communicates or transmits, via radio waves to abroadcast satellite ex202, multiplexed data obtained by multiplexingaudio data and others onto video data. The video data is data coded bythe moving picture coding method described in each of embodiments (i.e.,data coded by the image coding apparatus according to an aspect of thepresent invention). Upon receipt of the multiplexed data, the broadcastsatellite ex202 transmits radio waves for broadcasting. Then, a home-useantenna ex204 with a satellite broadcast reception function receives theradio waves. Next, a device such as a television (receiver) ex300 and aset top box (STB) ex217 decodes the received multiplexed data, andreproduces the decoded data (i.e., functions as the image decodingapparatus according to an aspect of the present invention).

Furthermore, a reader/recorder ex218 (i) reads and decodes themultiplexed data recorded on a recording medium ex215, such as a DVD anda BD, or (i) codes video signals in the recording medium ex215, and insome cases, writes data obtained by multiplexing an audio signal on thecoded data. The reader/recorder ex218 can include the moving picturedecoding apparatus or the moving picture coding apparatus as shown ineach of embodiments. In this case, the reproduced video signals aredisplayed on the monitor ex219, and can be reproduced by another deviceor system using the recording medium ex215 on which the multiplexed datais recorded. It is also possible to implement the moving picturedecoding apparatus in the set top box ex217 connected to the cable ex203for a cable television or to the antenna ex204 for satellite and/orterrestrial broadcasting, so as to display the video signals on themonitor ex219 of the television ex300. The moving picture decodingapparatus may be implemented not in the set top box but in thetelevision ex300.

FIG. 15 illustrates the television (receiver) ex300 that uses the movingpicture coding method and the moving picture decoding method describedin each of embodiments. The television ex300 includes: a tuner ex301that obtains or provides multiplexed data obtained by multiplexing audiodata onto video data, through the antenna ex204 or the cable ex203, etc.that receives a broadcast; a modulation/demodulation unit ex302 thatdemodulates the received multiplexed data or modulates data intomultiplexed data to be supplied outside; and amultiplexing/demultiplexing unit ex303 that demultiplexes the modulatedmultiplexed data into video data and audio data, or multiplexes videodata and audio data coded by a signal processing unit ex306 into data.

The television ex300 further includes: a signal processing unit ex306including an audio signal processing unit ex304 and a video signalprocessing unit ex305 that decode audio data and video data and codeaudio data and video data, respectively (which function as the imagecoding apparatus and the image decoding apparatus according to theaspects of the present invention); and an output unit ex309 including aspeaker ex307 that provides the decoded audio signal, and a display unitex308 that displays the decoded video signal, such as a display.Furthermore, the television ex300 includes an interface unit ex317including an operation input unit ex312 that receives an input of a useroperation. Furthermore, the television ex300 includes a control unitex310 that controls overall each constituent element of the televisionex300, and a power supply circuit unit ex311 that supplies power to eachof the elements. Other than the operation input unit ex312, theinterface unit ex317 may include: a bridge ex313 that is connected to anexternal device, such as the reader/recorder ex218; a slot unit ex314for enabling attachment of the recording medium ex216, such as an SDcard; a driver ex315 to be connected to an external recording medium,such as a hard disk; and a modem ex316 to be connected to a telephonenetwork. Here, the recording medium ex216 can electrically recordinformation using a non-volatile/volatile semiconductor memory elementfor storage. The constituent elements of the television ex300 areconnected to each other through a synchronous bus.

First, the configuration in which the television ex300 decodesmultiplexed data obtained from outside through the antenna ex204 andothers and reproduces the decoded data will be described. In thetelevision ex300, upon a user operation through a remote controllerex220 and others, the multiplexing/demultiplexing unit ex303demultiplexes the multiplexed data demodulated by themodulation/demodulation unit ex302, under control of the control unitex310 including a CPU. Furthermore, the audio signal processing unitex304 decodes the demultiplexed audio data, and the video signalprocessing unit ex305 decodes the demultiplexed video data, using thedecoding method described in each of embodiments, in the televisionex300. The output unit ex309 provides the decoded video signal and audiosignal outside, respectively. When the output unit ex309 provides thevideo signal and the audio signal, the signals may be temporarily storedin buffers ex318 and ex319, and others so that the signals arereproduced in synchronization with each other. Furthermore, thetelevision ex300 may read multiplexed data not through a broadcast andothers but from the recording media ex215 and ex216, such as a magneticdisk, an optical disk, and a SD card. Next, a configuration in which thetelevision ex300 codes an audio signal and a video signal, and transmitsthe data outside or writes the data on a recording medium will bedescribed. In the television ex300, upon a user operation through theremote controller ex220 and others, the audio signal processing unitex304 codes an audio signal, and the video signal processing unit ex305codes a video signal, under control of the control unit ex310 using thecoding method described in each of embodiments. Themultiplexing/demultiplexing unit ex303 multiplexes the coded videosignal and audio signal, and provides the resulting signal outside. Whenthe multiplexing/demultiplexing unit ex303 multiplexes the video signaland the audio signal, the signals may be temporarily stored in thebuffers ex320 and ex321, and others so that the signals are reproducedin synchronization with each other. Here, the buffers ex318, ex319,ex320, and ex321 may be plural as illustrated, or at least one buffermay be shared in the television ex300. Furthermore, data may be storedin a buffer so that the system overflow and underflow may be avoidedbetween the modulation/demodulation unit ex302 and themultiplexing/demultiplexing unit ex303, for example.

Furthermore, the television ex300 may include a configuration forreceiving an AV input from a microphone or a camera other than theconfiguration for obtaining audio and video data from a broadcast or arecording medium, and may code the obtained data. Although thetelevision ex300 can code, multiplex, and provide outside data in thedescription, it may be capable of only receiving, decoding, andproviding outside data but not the coding, multiplexing, and providingoutside data.

Furthermore, when the reader/recorder ex218 reads or writes multiplexeddata from or on a recording medium, one of the television ex300 and thereader/recorder ex218 may decode or code the multiplexed data, and thetelevision ex300 and the reader/recorder ex218 may share the decoding orcoding.

As an example, FIG. 16 illustrates a configuration of an informationreproducing/recording unit ex400 when data is read or written from or onan optical disk. The information reproducing/recording unit ex400includes constituent elements ex401, ex402, ex403, ex404, ex405, ex406,and ex407 to be described hereinafter. The optical head ex401 irradiatesa laser spot in a recording surface of the recording medium ex215 thatis an optical disk to write information, and detects reflected lightfrom the recording surface of the recording medium ex215 to read theinformation. The modulation recording unit ex402 electrically drives asemiconductor laser included in the optical head ex401, and modulatesthe laser light according to recorded data. The reproductiondemodulating unit ex403 amplifies a reproduction signal obtained byelectrically detecting the reflected light from the recording surfaceusing a photo detector included in the optical head ex401, anddemodulates the reproduction signal by separating a signal componentrecorded on the recording medium ex215 to reproduce the necessaryinformation. The buffer ex404 temporarily holds the information to berecorded on the recording medium ex215 and the information reproducedfrom the recording medium ex215. The disk motor ex405 rotates therecording medium ex215. The servo control unit ex406 moves the opticalhead ex401 to a predetermined information track while controlling therotation drive of the disk motor ex405 so as to follow the laser spot.The system control unit ex407 controls overall the informationreproducing/recording unit ex400. The reading and writing processes canbe implemented by the system control unit ex407 using variousinformation stored in the buffer ex404 and generating and adding newinformation as necessary, and by the modulation recording unit ex402,the reproduction demodulating unit ex403, and the servo control unitex406 that record and reproduce information through the optical headex401 while being operated in a coordinated manner. The system controlunit ex407 includes, for example, a microprocessor, and executesprocessing by causing a computer to execute a program for read andwrite.

Although the optical head ex401 irradiates a laser spot in thedescription, it may perform high-density recording using near fieldlight.

FIG. 17 illustrates the recording medium ex215 that is the optical disk.On the recording surface of the recording medium ex215, guide groovesare spirally formed, and an information track ex230 records, in advance,address information indicating an absolute position on the diskaccording to change in a shape of the guide grooves. The addressinformation includes information for determining positions of recordingblocks ex231 that are a unit for recording data. Reproducing theinformation track ex230 and reading the address information in anapparatus that records and reproduces data can lead to determination ofthe positions of the recording blocks. Furthermore, the recording mediumex215 includes a data recording area ex233, an inner circumference areaex232, and an outer circumference area ex234. The data recording areaex233 is an area for use in recording the user data. The innercircumference area ex232 and the outer circumference area ex234 that areinside and outside of the data recording area ex233, respectively arefor specific use except for recording the user data. The informationreproducing/recording unit 400 reads and writes coded audio, coded videodata, or multiplexed data obtained by multiplexing the coded audio andvideo data, from and on the data recording area ex233 of the recordingmedium ex215.

Although an optical disk having a layer, such as a DVD and a BD isdescribed as an example in the description, the optical disk is notlimited to such, and may be an optical disk having a multilayerstructure and capable of being recorded on a part other than thesurface. Furthermore, the optical disk may have a structure formultidimensional recording/reproduction, such as recording ofinformation using light of colors with different wavelengths in the sameportion of the optical disk and for recording information havingdifferent layers from various angles.

Furthermore, a car ex210 having an antenna ex205 can receive data fromthe satellite ex202 and others, and reproduce video on a display devicesuch as a car navigation system ex211 set in the car ex210, in thedigital broadcasting system ex200. Here, a configuration of the carnavigation system ex211 will be a configuration, for example, includinga GPS receiving unit from the configuration illustrated in FIG. 15. Thesame will be true for the configuration of the computer ex111, thecellular phone ex114, and others.

FIG. 18A illustrates the cellular phone ex114 that uses the movingpicture coding method and the moving picture decoding method describedin embodiments. The cellular phone ex114 includes: an antenna ex350 fortransmitting and receiving radio waves through the base station ex110; acamera unit ex365 capable of capturing moving and still images; and adisplay unit ex358 such as a liquid crystal display for displaying thedata such as decoded video captured by the camera unit ex365 or receivedby the antenna ex350. The cellular phone ex114 further includes: a mainbody unit including an operation key unit ex366; an audio output unitex357 such as a speaker for output of audio; an audio input unit ex356such as a microphone for input of audio; a memory unit ex367 for storingcaptured video or still pictures, recorded audio, coded or decoded dataof the received video, the still pictures, e-mails, or others; and aslot unit ex364 that is an interface unit for a recording medium thatstores data in the same manner as the memory unit ex367.

Next, an example of a configuration of the cellular phone ex114 will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 18B. In the cellular phone ex114, amain control unit ex360 designed to control overall each unit of themain body including the display unit ex358 as well as the operation keyunit ex366 is connected mutually, via a synchronous bus ex370, to apower supply circuit unit ex361, an operation input control unit ex362,a video signal processing unit ex355, a camera interface unit ex363, aliquid crystal display (LCD) control unit ex359, amodulation/demodulation unit ex352, a multiplexing/demultiplexing unitex353, an audio signal processing unit ex354, the slot unit ex364, andthe memory unit ex367.

When a call-end key or a power key is turned ON by a user's operation,the power supply circuit unit ex361 supplies the respective units withpower from a battery pack so as to activate the cell phone ex114.

In the cellular phone ex114, the audio signal processing unit ex354converts the audio signals collected by the audio input unit ex356 invoice conversation mode into digital audio signals under the control ofthe main control unit ex360 including a CPU, ROM, and RAM. Then, themodulation/demodulation unit ex352 performs spread spectrum processingon the digital audio signals, and the transmitting and receiving unitex351 performs digital-to-analog conversion and frequency conversion onthe data, so as to transmit the resulting data via the antenna ex350.Also, in the cellular phone ex114, the transmitting and receiving unitex351 amplifies the data received by the antenna ex350 in voiceconversation mode and performs frequency conversion and theanalog-to-digital conversion on the data. Then, themodulation/demodulation unit ex352 performs inverse spread spectrumprocessing on the data, and the audio signal processing unit ex354converts it into analog audio signals, so as to output them via theaudio output unit ex357.

Furthermore, when an e-mail in data communication mode is transmitted,text data of the e-mail inputted by operating the operation key unitex366 and others of the main body is sent out to the main control unitex360 via the operation input control unit ex362. The main control unitex360 causes the modulation/demodulation unit ex352 to perform spreadspectrum processing on the text data, and the transmitting and receivingunit ex351 performs the digital-to-analog conversion and the frequencyconversion on the resulting data to transmit the data to the basestation ex110 via the antenna ex350. When an e-mail is received,processing that is approximately inverse to the processing fortransmitting an e-mail is performed on the received data, and theresulting data is provided to the display unit ex358.

When video, still images, or video and audio in data communication modeis or are transmitted, the video signal processing unit ex355 compressesand codes video signals supplied from the camera unit ex365 using themoving picture coding method shown in each of embodiments (i.e.,functions as the image coding apparatus according to the aspect of thepresent invention), and transmits the coded video data to themultiplexing/demultiplexing unit ex353. In contrast, during when thecamera unit ex365 captures video, still images, and others, the audiosignal processing unit ex354 codes audio signals collected by the audioinput unit ex356, and transmits the coded audio data to themultiplexing/demultiplexing unit ex353.

The multiplexing/demultiplexing unit ex353 multiplexes the coded videodata supplied from the video signal processing unit ex355 and the codedaudio data supplied from the audio signal processing unit ex354, using apredetermined method. Then, the modulation/demodulation unit(modulation/demodulation circuit unit) ex352 performs spread spectrumprocessing on the multiplexed data, and the transmitting and receivingunit ex351 performs digital-to-analog conversion and frequencyconversion on the data so as to transmit the resulting data via theantenna ex350.

When receiving data of a video file which is linked to a Web page andothers in data communication mode or when receiving an e-mail with videoand/or audio attached, in order to decode the multiplexed data receivedvia the antenna ex350, the multiplexing/demultiplexing unit ex353demultiplexer the multiplexed data into a video data bit stream and anaudio data bit stream, and supplies the video signal processing unitex355 with the coded video data and the audio signal processing unitex354 with the coded audio data, through the synchronous bus ex370. Thevideo signal processing unit ex355 decodes the video signal using amoving picture decoding method corresponding to the moving picturecoding method shown in each of embodiments (i.e., functions as the imagedecoding apparatus according to the aspect of the present invention),and then the display unit ex358 displays, for instance, the video andstill images included in the video file linked to the Web page via theLCD control unit ex359. Furthermore, the audio signal processing unitex354 decodes the audio signal, and the audio output unit ex357 providesthe audio.

Furthermore, similarly to the television ex300, a terminal such as thecellular phone ex114 probably have 3 types of implementationconfigurations including not only (i) a transmitting and receivingterminal including both a coding apparatus and a decoding apparatus, butalso (ii) a transmitting terminal including only a coding apparatus and(iii) a receiving terminal including only a decoding apparatus. Althoughthe digital broadcasting system ex200 receives and transmits themultiplexed data obtained by multiplexing audio data onto video data inthe description, the multiplexed data may be data obtained bymultiplexing not audio data but character data related to video ontovideo data, and may be not multiplexed data but video data itself.

As such, the moving picture coding method and the moving picturedecoding method in each of embodiments can be used in any of the devicesand systems described. Thus, the advantages described in each ofembodiments can be obtained.

Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to embodiments, andvarious modifications and revisions are possible without departing fromthe scope of the present invention.

Embodiment B

Video data can be generated by switching, as necessary, between (i) themoving picture coding method or the moving picture coding apparatusshown in each of embodiments and (ii) a moving picture coding method ora moving picture coding apparatus in conformity with a differentstandard, such as MPEG-2, MPEG-4 AVC, and VC-1.

Here, when a plurality of video data that conforms to the differentstandards is generated and is then decoded, the decoding methods need tobe selected to conform to the different standards. However, since towhich standard each of the plurality of the video data to be decodedconform cannot be detected, there is a problem that an appropriatedecoding method cannot be selected.

In order to solve the problem, multiplexed data obtained by multiplexingaudio data and others onto video data has a structure includingidentification information indicating to which standard the video dataconforms. The specific structure of the multiplexed data including thevideo data generated in the moving picture coding method and by themoving picture coding apparatus shown in each of embodiments will behereinafter described. The multiplexed data is a digital stream in theMPEG-2 Transport Stream format.

FIG. 19 illustrates a structure of the multiplexed data. As illustratedin FIG. 19, the multiplexed data can be obtained by multiplexing atleast one of a video stream, an audio stream, a presentation graphicsstream (PG), and an interactive graphics stream. The video streamrepresents primary video and secondary video of a movie, the audiostream (IG) represents a primary audio part and a secondary audio partto be mixed with the primary audio part, and the presentation graphicsstream represents subtitles of the movie. Here, the primary video isnormal video to be displayed on a screen, and the secondary video isvideo to be displayed on a smaller window in the primary video.Furthermore, the interactive graphics stream represents an interactivescreen to be generated by arranging the GUI components on a screen. Thevideo stream is coded in the moving picture coding method or by themoving picture coding apparatus shown in each of embodiments, or in amoving picture coding method or by a moving picture coding apparatus inconformity with a conventional standard, such as MPEG-2, MPEG-4 AVC, andVC-1. The audio stream is coded in accordance with a standard, such asDolby-AC-3, Dolby Digital Plus, MLP, DTS, DTS-HD, and linear PCM.

Each stream included in the multiplexed data is identified by PID. Forexample, 0x1011 is allocated to the video stream to be used for video ofa movie, 0x1100 to 0x111F are allocated to the audio streams, 0x1200 to0x121F are allocated to the presentation graphics streams, 0x1400 to0x141F are allocated to the interactive graphics streams, 0x1B00 to0x1B1F are allocated to the video streams to be used for secondary videoof the movie, and 0x1A00 to 0x1A1F are allocated to the audio streams tobe used for the secondary audio to be mixed with the primary audio.

FIG. 20 schematically illustrates how data is multiplexed. First, avideo stream ex235 composed of video frames and an audio stream ex238composed of audio frames are transformed into a stream of PES packetsex236 and a stream of PES packets ex239, and further into TS packetsex237 and TS packets ex240, respectively. Similarly, data of apresentation graphics stream ex241 and data of an interactive graphicsstream ex244 are transformed into a stream of PES packets ex242 and astream of PES packets ex245, and further into TS packets ex243 and TSpackets ex246, respectively. These TS packets are multiplexed into astream to obtain multiplexed data ex247.

FIG. 21 illustrates how a video stream is stored in a stream of PESpackets in more detail. The first bar in FIG. 21 shows a video framestream in a video stream. The second bar shows the stream of PESpackets. As indicated by arrows denoted as yy1, yy2, yy3, and yy4 inFIG. 21, the video stream is divided into pictures as I pictures, Bpictures, and P pictures each of which is a video presentation unit, andthe pictures are stored in a payload of each of the PES packets. Each ofthe PES packets has a PES header, and the PES header stores aPresentation Time-Stamp (PTS) indicating a display time of the picture,and a Decoding Time-Stamp (DTS) indicating a decoding time of thepicture.

FIG. 22 illustrates a format of TS packets to be finally written on themultiplexed data Each of the TS packets is a 188-byte fixed lengthpacket including a 4-byte TS header having information, such as a PIDfor identifying a stream and a 184-byte TS payload for storing data. ThePES packets are divided, and stored in the TS payloads, respectively.When a BD ROM is used, each of the TS packets is given a 4-byteTP_Extra_Header, thus resulting in 192-byte source packets. The sourcepackets are written on the multiplexed data. The TP_Extra_Header storesinformation such as an Arrival_Time_Stamp (ATS). The ATS shows atransfer start time at which each of the TS packets is to be transferredto a PID filter. The source packets are arranged in the multiplexed dataas shown at the bottom of FIG. 22. The numbers incrementing from thehead of the multiplexed data are called source packet numbers (SPNs).

Each of the TS packets included in the multiplexed data includes notonly streams of audio, video, subtitles and others, but also a ProgramAssociation Table (PAT), a Program Map Table (PMT), and a Program ClockReference (PCR). The PAT shows what a PID in a PMT used in themultiplexed data indicates, and a PID of the PAT itself is registered aszero. The PMT stores PIDs of the streams of video, audio, subtitles andothers included in the multiplexed data, and attribute information ofthe streams corresponding to the PIDs. The PMT also has variousdescriptors relating to the multiplexed data. The descriptors haveinformation such as copy control information showing whether copying ofthe multiplexed data is permitted or not. The PCR stores STC timeinformation corresponding to an ATS showing when the PCR packet istransferred to a decoder, in order to achieve synchronization between anArrival Time Clock (ATC) that is a time axis of ATSs, and an System TimeClock (STC) that is a time axis of PTSs and DTSs.

FIG. 23 illustrates the data structure of the PMT in detail. A PMTheader is disposed at the top of the PMT. The PMT header describes thelength of data included in the PMT and others. A plurality ofdescriptors relating to the multiplexed data is disposed after the PMTheader. Information such as the copy control information is described inthe descriptors. After the descriptors, a plurality of pieces of streaminformation relating to the streams included in the multiplexed data isdisposed. Each piece of stream information includes stream descriptorseach describing information, such as a stream type for identifying acompression codec of a stream, a stream PID, and stream attributeinformation (such as a frame rate or an aspect ratio). The streamdescriptors are equal in number to the number of streams in themultiplexed data.

When the multiplexed data is recorded on a recording medium and others,it is recorded together with multiplexed data information files.

Each of the multiplexed data information files is management informationof the multiplexed data as shown in FIG. 24. The multiplexed datainformation files are in one to one correspondence with the multiplexeddata, and each of the files includes multiplexed data information,stream attribute information, and an entry map.

As illustrated in FIG. 24, the multiplexed data information includes asystem rate, a reproduction start time, and a reproduction end time. Thesystem rate indicates the maximum transfer rate at which a system targetdecoder to be described later transfers the multiplexed data to a PIDfilter. The intervals of the ATSs included in the multiplexed data areset to not higher than a system rate. The reproduction start timeindicates a PTS in a video frame at the head of the multiplexed data. Aninterval of one frame is added to a PTS in a video frame at the end ofthe multiplexed data, and the PTS is set to the reproduction end time.

As shown in FIG. 25, a piece of attribute information is registered inthe stream attribute information, for each PID of each stream includedin the multiplexed data. Each piece of attribute information hasdifferent information depending on whether the corresponding stream is avideo stream, an audio stream, a presentation graphics stream, or aninteractive graphics stream. Each piece of video stream attributeinformation carries information including what kind of compression codecis used for compressing the video stream, and the resolution, aspectratio and frame rate of the pieces of picture data that is included inthe video stream. Each piece of audio stream attribute informationcarries information including what kind of compression codec is used forcompressing the audio stream, how many channels are included in theaudio stream, which language the audio stream supports, and how high thesampling frequency is. The video stream attribute information and theaudio stream attribute information are used for initialization of adecoder before the player plays back the information.

In the present embodiment, the multiplexed data to be used is of astream type included in the PMT. Furthermore, when the multiplexed datais recorded on a recording medium, the video stream attributeinformation included in the multiplexed data information is used. Morespecifically, the moving picture coding method or the moving picturecoding apparatus described in each of embodiments includes a step or aunit for allocating unique information indicating video data generatedby the moving picture coding method or the moving picture codingapparatus in each of embodiments, to the stream type included in the PMTor the video stream attribute information. With the configuration, thevideo data generated by the moving picture coding method or the movingpicture coding apparatus described in each of embodiments can bedistinguished from video data that conforms to another standard.

Furthermore, FIG. 26 illustrates steps of the moving picture decodingmethod according to the present embodiment. In Step exS 100, the streamtype included in the PMT or the video stream attribute informationincluded in the multiplexed data information is obtained from themultiplexed data. Next, in Step exS 101, it is determined whether or notthe stream type or the video stream attribute information indicates thatthe multiplexed data is generated by the moving picture coding method orthe moving picture coding apparatus in each of embodiments. When it isdetermined that the stream type or the video stream attributeinformation indicates that the multiplexed data is generated by themoving picture coding method or the moving picture coding apparatus ineach of embodiments, in Step exS102, decoding is performed by the movingpicture decoding method in each of embodiments. Furthermore, when thestream type or the video stream attribute information indicatesconformance to the conventional standards, such as MPEG-2, MPEG-4 AVC,and VC-1, in Step exS103, decoding is performed by a moving picturedecoding method in conformity with the conventional standards.

As such, allocating a new unique value to the stream type or the videostream attribute information enables determination whether or not themoving picture decoding method or the moving picture decoding apparatusthat is described in each of embodiments can perform decoding. Even whenmultiplexed data that conforms to a different standard is input, anappropriate decoding method or apparatus can be selected. Thus, itbecomes possible to decode information without any error. Furthermore,the moving picture coding method or apparatus, or the moving picturedecoding method or apparatus in the present embodiment can be used inthe devices and systems described above.

Embodiment C

Each of the moving picture coding method, the moving picture codingapparatus, the moving picture decoding method, and the moving picturedecoding apparatus in each of embodiments is typically achieved in theform of an integrated circuit or a Large Scale Integrated (LSI) circuit.As an example of the LSI, FIG. 27 illustrates a configuration of the LSIex500 that is made into one chip. The LSI ex500 includes elements ex501,ex502, ex503, ex504, ex505, ex506, ex507, ex508, and ex509 to bedescribed below, and the elements are connected to each other through abus ex510. The power supply circuit unit ex505 is activated by supplyingeach of the elements with power when the power supply circuit unit ex505is turned on.

For example, when coding is performed, the LSI ex500 receives an AVsignal from a microphone ex117, a camera ex113, and others through an AVIO ex509 under control of a control unit ex501 including a CPU ex502, amemory controller ex503, a stream controller ex504, and a drivingfrequency control unit ex512. The received AV signal is temporarilystored in an external memory ex511, such as an SDRAM. Under control ofthe control unit ex501, the stored data is segmented into data portionsaccording to the processing amount and speed to be transmitted to asignal processing unit ex507. Then, the signal processing unit ex507codes an audio signal and/or a video signal. Here, the coding of thevideo signal is the coding described in each of embodiments.Furthermore, the signal processing unit ex507 sometimes multiplexes thecoded audio data and the coded video data, and a stream IO ex506provides the multiplexed data outside. The provided multiplexed data istransmitted to the base station ex107, or written on the recordingmedium ex215. When data sets are multiplexed, the data should betemporarily stored in the buffer ex508 so that the data sets aresynchronized with each other.

Although the memory ex511 is an element outside the LSI ex500, it may beincluded in the LSI ex500. The buffer ex508 is not limited to onebuffer, but may be composed of buffers. Furthermore, the LSI ex500 maybe made into one chip or a plurality of chips.

Furthermore, although the control unit ex501 includes the CPU ex502, thememory controller ex503, the stream controller ex504, the drivingfrequency control unit ex512, the configuration of the control unitex501 is not limited to such. For example, the signal processing unitex507 may further include a CPU. Inclusion of another CPU in the, signalprocessing unit ex507 can improve the processing speed. Furthermore, asanother example, the CPU ex502 may serve as or be a part of the signalprocessing unit ex507, and, for example, may include an audio signalprocessing unit. In such a case, the control unit ex501 includes thesignal processing unit ex507 or the CPU ex502 including a part of thesignal processing unit ex507.

The name used here is LSI, but it may also be called IC, system LSI,super LSI, or ultra LSI depending on the degree of integration.

Moreover, ways to achieve integration are not limited to the LSI, and aspecial circuit or a general purpose processor and so forth can alsoachieve the integration. Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) that canbe programmed after manufacturing LSIs or a reconfigurable processorthat allows re-configuration of the connection or configuration of anLSI can be used for the same purpose.

In the future, with advancement in semiconductor technology, a brand-newtechnology may replace LSI. The functional blocks can be integratedusing such a technology. The possibility is that the present inventionis applied to biotechnology.

Embodiment D

When video data generated in the moving picture coding method or by themoving picture coding apparatus described in each of embodiments isdecoded, compared to when video data that conforms to a conventionalstandard, such as MPEG-2, MPEG-4 AVC, and VC-1 is decoded, theprocessing amount probably increases. Thus, the LSI ex500 needs to beset to a driving frequency higher than that of the CPU ex502 to be usedwhen video data in conformity with the conventional standard is decoded.However, when the driving frequency is set higher, there is a problemthat the power consumption increases.

In order to solve the problem, the moving picture decoding apparatus,such as the television ex300 and the LSI ex500 is configured todetermine to which standard the video data conforms, and switch betweenthe driving frequencies according to the determined standard. FIG. 28illustrates a configuration ex800 in the present embodiment. A drivingfrequency switching unit ex803 sets a driving frequency to a higherdriving frequency when video data is generated by the moving picturecoding method or the moving picture coding apparatus described in eachof embodiments. Then, the driving frequency switching unit ex803instructs a decoding processing unit ex801 that executes the movingpicture decoding method described in each of embodiments to decode thevideo data. When the video data conforms to the conventional standard,the driving frequency switching unit ex803 sets a driving frequency to alower driving frequency than that of the video data generated by themoving picture coding method or the moving picture coding apparatusdescribed in each of embodiments. Then, the driving frequency switchingunit ex803 instructs the decoding processing unit ex802 that conforms tothe conventional standard to decode the video data.

More specifically, the driving frequency switching unit ex803 includesthe CPU ex502 and the driving frequency control unit ex512 in FIG. 27.Here, each of the decoding processing unit ex801 that executes themoving picture decoding method described in each of embodiments and thedecoding processing unit ex802 that conforms to the conventionalstandard corresponds to the signal processing unit ex507 in FIG. 27. TheCPU ex502 determines to which standard the video data conforms. Then,the driving frequency control unit ex512 determines a driving frequencybased on a signal from the CPU ex502. Furthermore, the signal processingunit ex507 decodes the video data based on the signal from the CPUex502. For example, the identification information described inEmbodiment B is probably used for identifying the video data. Theidentification information is not limited to the one described inEmbodiment B but may be any information as long as the informationindicates to which standard the video data conforms. For example, whenwhich standard video data conforms to can be determined based on anexternal signal for determining that the video data is used for atelevision or a disk, etc., the determination may be made based on suchan external signal. Furthermore, the CPU ex502 selects a drivingfrequency based on, for example, a look-up table in which the standardsof the video data are associated with the driving frequencies as shownin FIG. 30. The driving frequency can be selected by storing the look-uptable in the buffer ex508 and in an internal memory of an LSI, and withreference to the look-up table by the CPU ex502.

FIG. 29 illustrates steps for executing a method in the presentembodiment. First, in Step exS200, the signal processing unit ex507obtains identification information from the multiplexed data. Next, inStep exS201, the CPU ex502 determines whether or not the video data isgenerated by the coding method and the coding apparatus described ineach of embodiments, based on the identification information. When thevideo data is generated by the moving picture coding method and themoving picture coding apparatus described in each of embodiments, inStep exS202, the CPU ex502 transmits a signal for setting the drivingfrequency to a higher driving frequency to the driving frequency controlunit ex512. Then, the driving frequency control unit ex512 sets thedriving frequency to the higher driving frequency. On the other hand,when the identification information indicates that the video dataconforms to the conventional standard, such as MPEG-2, MPEG-4 AVC, andVC-1, in Step exS203, the CPU ex502 transmits a signal for setting thedriving frequency to a lower driving frequency to the driving frequencycontrol unit ex512. Then, the driving frequency control unit ex512 setsthe driving frequency to the lower driving frequency than that in thecase where the video data is generated by the moving picture codingmethod and the moving picture coding apparatus described in each ofembodiment.

Furthermore, along with the switching of the driving frequencies, thepower conservation effect can be improved by changing the voltage to beapplied to the LSI ex500 or an apparatus including the LSI ex500. Forexample, when the driving frequency is set lower, the voltage to beapplied to the LSI ex500 or the apparatus including the LSI ex500 isprobably set to a voltage lower than that in the case where the drivingfrequency is set higher.

Furthermore, when the processing amount for decoding is larger, thedriving frequency may be set higher, and when the processing amount fordecoding is smaller, the driving frequency may be set lower as themethod for setting the driving frequency. Thus, the setting method isnot limited to the ones described above. For example, when theprocessing amount for decoding video data in conformity with MPEG-4 AVCis larger than the processing amount for decoding video data generatedby the moving picture coding method and the moving picture codingapparatus described in each of embodiments, the driving frequency isprobably set in reverse order to the setting described above.

Furthermore, the method for setting the driving frequency is not limitedto the method for setting the driving frequency lower. For example, whenthe identification information indicates that the video data isgenerated by the moving picture coding method and the moving picturecoding apparatus described in each of embodiments, the voltage to beapplied to the LSI ex500 or the apparatus including the LSI ex500 isprobably set higher. When the identification information indicates thatthe video data conforms to the conventional standard, such as MPEG-2,MPEG-4 AVC, and VC-1, the voltage to be applied to the LSI ex500 or theapparatus including the LSI ex500 is probably set lower. As anotherexample, when the identification information indicates that the videodata is generated by the moving picture coding method and the movingpicture coding apparatus described in each of embodiments, the drivingof the CPU ex502 does not probably have to be suspended. When theidentification information indicates that the video data conforms to theconventional standard, such as MPEG-2, MPEG-4 AVC, and VC-1, the drivingof the CPU ex502 is probably suspended at a given time because the CPUex502 has extra processing capacity. Even when the identificationinformation indicates that the video data is generated by the movingpicture coding method and the moving picture coding apparatus describedin each of embodiments, in the case where the CPU ex502 has extraprocessing capacity, the driving of the CPU ex502 is probably suspendedat a given time. In such a case, the suspending time is probably setshorter than that in the case where when the identification informationindicates that the video data conforms to the conventional standard,such as MPEG-2, MPEG-4 AVC, and VC-1.

Accordingly, the power conservation effect can be improved by switchingbetween the driving frequencies in accordance with the standard to whichthe video data conforms. Furthermore, when the LSI ex500 or theapparatus including the LSI ex500 is driven using a battery, the batterylife can be extended with the power conservation effect.

Embodiment E

There are cases where a plurality of video data that conforms todifferent standards, is provided to the devices and systems, such as atelevision and a cellular phone. In order to enable decoding theplurality of video data that conforms to the different standards, thesignal processing unit ex507 of the LSI ex500 needs to conform to thedifferent standards. However, the problems of increase in the scale ofthe circuit of the LSI ex500 and increase in the cost arise with theindividual use of the signal processing units ex507 that conform to therespective standards.

In order to solve the problem, what is conceived is a configuration inwhich the decoding processing unit for implementing the moving picturedecoding method described in each of embodiments and the decodingprocessing unit that conforms to the conventional standard, such asMPEG-2, MPEG-4 AVC, and VC-1 are partly shared. Ex900 in FIG. 31A showsan example of the configuration. For example, the moving picturedecoding method described in each of embodiments and the moving picturedecoding method that conforms to MPEG-4 AVC have, partly in common, thedetails of processing, such as entropy coding, inverse quantization,deblocking filtering, and motion compensated prediction. The details ofprocessing to be shared probably include use of a decoding processingunit ex902 that conforms to MPEG-4 AVC. In contrast, a dedicateddecoding processing unit ex901 is probably used for other processingunique to an aspect of the present invention. Since the aspect of thepresent invention is characterized by inverse quantization inparticular, for example, the dedicated decoding processing unit ex901 isused for inverse quantization. Otherwise, the decoding processing unitis probably shared for one of the entropy decoding, deblockingfiltering, and motion compensation, or all of the processing. Thedecoding processing unit for implementing the moving picture decodingmethod described in each of embodiments may be shared for the processingto be shared, and a dedicated decoding processing unit may be used forprocessing unique to that of MPEG-4 AVC.

Furthermore, ex1000 in FIG. 31B shows another example in that processingis partly shared. This example uses a configuration including adedicated decoding processing unit ex1001 that supports the processingunique to an aspect of the present invention, a dedicated decodingprocessing unit ex1002 that supports the processing unique to anotherconventional standard, and a decoding processing unit ex1003 thatsupports processing to be shared between the moving picture decodingmethod according to the aspect of the present invention and theconventional moving picture decoding method. Here, the dedicateddecoding processing units ex1001 and ex1002 are not necessarilyspecialized for the processing according to the aspect of the presentinvention and the processing of the conventional standard, respectively,and may be the ones capable of implementing general processing.Furthermore, the configuration of the present embodiment can beimplemented by the LSI ex500.

As such, reducing the scale of the circuit of an LSI and reducing thecost are possible by sharing the decoding processing unit for theprocessing to be shared between the moving picture decoding methodaccording to the aspect of the present invention and the moving picturedecoding method in conformity with the conventional standard.

It will be appreciated by the person skilled in the art that numerousvariations and/or modifications may be made to the present invention asshown in the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit orscope of the invention as broadly described. The present embodimentsare, therefore, to be considered in all respects to be illustrative andnot restrictive.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present invention is applicable to a coding apparatus which codesaudio, still images, and video and to a decoding apparatus which decodesdata coded by the coding apparatus. For example, the present inventionis applicable to various audiovisual devices such as audio devices,cellular phones, digital cameras, BD recorders, and digital televisions.

1. A method of encoding a video into a coded video bitstream withtemporal motion vector prediction, the method comprising: determining avalue of a flag for indicating whether temporal motion vector predictionis used or not used for the inter-picture prediction of a sub-pictureunit of a picture; writing the flag having said value into a header ofthe sub-picture unit or a header of the picture; and wherein if the flagindicates that temporal motion vector prediction is used, the methodfurther comprises: creating a first list of motion vector predictorscomprising a plurality of motion vector predictors including at leastone temporal motion vector predictor derived from at least one motionvector from a collocated reference picture; selecting a motion vectorpredictor out of the first list for a prediction unit in the sub-pictureunit; and writing a first parameter into the coded video bitstream forindicating the selected motion vector predictor out of the first list.2. The method according to claim 1, wherein if the flag indicates thattemporal motion vector prediction is not used, the method furthercomprises: creating a second list of motion vector predictors comprisinga plurality of motion vector predictors without any temporal motionvector predictors; selecting a motion vector predictor out of the secondlist for a prediction unit in the sub-picture unit; and writing a secondparameter into the coded video bitstream for indicating the selectedmotion vector predictor out of the second list.
 3. The method accordingto claim 1, wherein the value of the flag is determined based on atemporal layer of the picture.
 4. The method according to claim 3,wherein if the temporal layer of the picture is determined to be thelowest or base layer, the value of the flag is set to indicate thattemporal motion vector prediction is not used; otherwise, the value ofthe flag is set to indicate that temporal motion vector prediction isused.
 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the value of the flagis determined based on a Picture Order Count (POC) value of the picture.6. The method according to claim 5, wherein if the POC value of thepicture is determined greater than any POC values of reference picturesin a Decoder Picture Buffer (DPB), the value of the flag is set toindicate that temporal motion vector prediction is not used; otherwise,the value of the flag is set to indicate that temporal motion vectorprediction is used.
 7. The method according to claim 1, wherein thevalue of the flag is determined based on a sub-picture unit type of aninter-picture sub-picture unit in the picture.
 8. The method accordingto claim 7, wherein if the sub-picture unit type is a Predictive (P)type, the value of the flag is set to indicate that temporal motionvector prediction is not used; otherwise, the value of the flag is setto indicate that temporal motion vector prediction is used.
 9. Themethod according to claim 1, wherein the value of the flag is determinedbased on whether the picture containing the sub-picture unit is a RandomAccess Point (RAP) picture.
 10. The method according to claim 9, whereinif the picture is the RAP picture and the sub-picture unit belongs to anon-base layer of the picture, the value of the flag is set to indicatethat temporal motion vector prediction is not used; otherwise, the valueof the flag is set to indicate that temporal motion vector prediction isused.
 11. The method according to claim 1, wherein the flag is writtento the header of the sub-picture unit.
 12. The method according to claim1, wherein the method further comprises writing one or more parametersinto the header of the sub-picture unit to specify the order ofreference pictures in one or more reference picture lists used for interprediction of the sub-picture unit.
 13. The method according to claim 1,wherein the method further comprises: performing a motion compensatedinter-picture prediction using the selected motion vector predictor toproduce the prediction unit; subtracting the prediction unit from ablock of original samples to produce a block of residual samples; andencoding the block of residual samples corresponding to the predictionunit into the coded video bitstream.
 14. The method according to claim1, wherein the second list comprises one less motion vector predictorthan the first list, and the motion vector predictors of the first andsecond lists are the same other than the temporal motion vectorpredictor.
 15. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first andsecond parameters are represented in the coded video bitstream usingdifferent predetermined bit representations.
 16. The method according toclaim 1, wherein the first and second lists comprise the samepredetermined number of motion vector predictors, and the second listcomprises a motion vector predictor which is not present in the firstlist and is derived without using motion vectors from any referencepictures.
 17. The method according to claim 1, wherein the flag is usedto indicate whether temporal motion vector prediction is used or notused for the inter-picture prediction of a sub-picture unitindependently of other sub-picture units in the picture.
 18. The methodaccording to claim 1, wherein the sub-picture unit is a slice of thepicture.
 19. A method of decoding a coded video bitstream with temporalmotion vector prediction, the method comprising: parsing a flag from aheader a sub-picture unit or a header of a picture of the coded video;and determining whether the flag indicates that temporal motion vectorprediction is used or not used; wherein if the flag indicates thattemporal motion vector prediction is used, the method further comprises:creating a first list of motion vector predictors comprising a pluralityof motion vector predictors including at least one temporal motionvector predictor derived from at least one motion vector from acollocated reference picture; parsing a first parameter from the codedvideo bitstream which indicates a selected motion vector predictor outof the first list for a prediction unit in the sub-picture unit. 20.(canceled)
 21. An apparatus for encoding a video into a coded videobitstream with temporal motion vector prediction, the apparatuscomprising: a control unit operable to determine a value of a flag forindicating whether temporal motion vector prediction is used or not usedfor the inter-picture prediction of a sub-picture unit of a picture; awriting unit operable to write the flag having said value into a headerof the sub-picture unit or a header of the picture; a motion vectorprediction unit; and an inter-picture prediction unit for performinginter-picture prediction based on a selected motion vector predictorfrom the motion vector prediction unit, wherein the motion vectorprediction unit is configured to receive the flag and based on the flagbeing a first value, the motion vector prediction unit is operable tocreate a first list of motion vector predictors comprising a pluralityof motion vector predictors including at least one temporal motionvector predictor derived from at least one motion vector from acollocated reference picture, and select a motion vector predictor outof the first list for a prediction unit in the sub-picture unit; and thewriting unit is further operable to write a first parameter into thecoded video bitstream for indicating the selected motion vectorpredictor out of the first list. 22-24. (canceled)